A common problem that keeps homesteaders up at night is how to keep livestock water from freezing. When the temperature drops, your animals will tend to eat more high nutrient feed—like alfalfa or hay/silage—to keep warm. And when your animals eat more, their need for water will increase. Homesteaders know it is no fun lugging buckets of water across a snowed-over barnyard or breaking up trough ice on a windy pasture in the middle of the night. But your livestock need water and you need your livestock. So check out these tips that will keep your water trough ice-free and help you keep your animals well-watered all winter long.

By utilizing winter livestock water solutions and techniques designed to prevent water trough freezing, you can ensure optimal livestock hydration in winter.

Whether you are on or off the grid, many solutions are available to you.

Electrical stock tank heaters and deicers are a simple and cost-effective way to keep ice off your trough. Most are available in a variety of styles and sizes to keep your livestock water from freezing. These water-safe electrical heating units are placed directly inside the stock tank—some hang over the lip of the tank, and others float on the surface. Most units are equipped with a chew-safe cord and a built-in thermostat that will shut off in warmer weather.

These units double as a livestock water heater solution, acting as both an electric stock tank heater and livestock water deicer to maintain consistent water temperatures. They are a great option for metal tanks, but you will want to check the product recommendations if you plan to use one in your rubber or plastic tank.

Another simple and cost-effective option for the small-sized homestead is the heated water bucket, ranging between $40 and $50. They are ideal for individual animals and several together can service a small herd. These buckets plug in to a power source and some models contain a “false” bottom for cord storage so the bucket can be used year-round. Though many are made with a flat back for stable wall placement, make sure to secure the bucket to something so thirsty animals don’t pull the bucket from the power source.

This option serves as an excellent heated water bucket for livestock , ensuring warm water is available even in the coldest weather.

Automatic watering units are a great, if somewhat more luxurious solution to keep trough water from freezing. Many units come with built-in heating components that keep water temperature at an appropriate level. An automatic watering system like these can also be part of energy efficient watering systems when integrated with modern controls. But, automatic watering units will require professional installation, and if you experience a power outage in the middle of a heavy snowstorm, your unit will likewise fail.

A propane stock tank heater is another useful option for your operation. The main advantage of a propane stock tank heater is mobility. These portable units connect to a propane tank—the fuel source—and may be situated where no electrical source is available, away from your main building. The propane tank heater is also useful for alleviating congestion in the yard and helps you to offer multiple water sources, especially important for weaker animals. While propane stock tank heaters are more expensive, on par with automatic watering units, their mobility and convenience is a huge plus. You will need to replace your fuel tank periodically and keep an eye on your pilot light, especially in open pasture where wind may extinguish it.

For off-grid homestead operations, a variety of solutions exist to keep livestock water troughs ice-free without the use of electricity.

Try grouping your troughs together. This idea takes advantage of the animal’s natural body heat and creates a “heat zone” that keeps both animal and water warm. Keep trough levels filled to only the amount the animals will drink to prevent icing. Grouping multiple troughs together also provides weaker animals with additional water sources.

Another useful idea is to provide a three-walled windbreak or open shed around the trough. These simple structures are easy to fabricate, simple to maintain, and prevent wind from cooling the trough. They also can also provide animals a respite from the elements in particularly harsh weather.

Many of us have an old set of tires stacked in the corner of a garage. Why not put them to use?

Recycle old tires into trough holders. Two 14”-16” car tires stacked together provide a near perfect receptacle for an unheated water bucket. You may want to bolt the tires together through the sidewalls first (make sure to use an oversized washer to prevent pull-through). Then place your bucket in the hole. Ideally, the bucket lip will rest on the sidewall and be suspended above the frozen ground. If not, place some hay or sawdust beneath the bucket for added insulation. Situate your recycled trough in the sun to take advantage of the black rubber which will act as both a conductor and insulator. For tall buckets, experiment with a third tire.

A more technological solution is the battery-powered water circulator. The circulator prevents freezing like a river or stream does, by constant water flow. The batteries will need to be recharged, but they may also be hooked up to a solar system that will provide a more constant power source.

Chickens are a staple animal on most homesteads and many coops lack power. To prevent chicken water from freezing, instead of a metal water trough try a wide and deep black rubber tub.

As with recycled tires, be sure to place the tub in an area that gets direct sun for most of the day. The broad tub dimensions will keep water from freezing as fast—more surface area— and the black color absorbs the sun’s heat to keep the water warmer.

Two or three ping pong balls placed into a water tub is another popular and cost-effective method to keep chicken water from freezing. The slightest breeze pushes the balls which create waves that, in turn, help to prevent a layer of ice from forming.

Ducks and other birds love water, even in winter. If you own ducks, place your tub where the ducks and other bathing birds can get at it—they’ll ensure the water stays agitated—albeit dirty.

If your coop has electricity, one simple solution for keeping your chicken water from freezing is to use a heated dog water bowl. Like a heated water bucket for larger livestock, this small-sized water source will assure your birds have ice-free water on even the coldest day.

No matter your budget and whether you are on or off the grid, there are many solutions that will keep your livestock water from freezing and allow you to stay inside after a long day on the homestead, enjoying a beverage of your choice.